Intelligent reverse geocoding

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for obtaining location information from a location source. A geographic reference point is determined based on accuracy of the location information. The geographic reference point is incorporated into a location result.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A location server system, comprising:
 a ranker to receive current location information from a physical wireless device; 
 a point of interest map database, in communication with said ranker, to provide said ranker with a point of interest within a geographic region including said current location; 
 a street network model database, in communication with said ranker, to provide said ranker with a closest road segment within said geographic region; and 
 a civic address database, in communication with said ranker, to provide said ranker with a closest civic address within said geographic region; 
 wherein said ranker adjusts an accuracy of said current location by incorporating into said current location a closest geographic reference point selected from among said closest point of interest, said closest road segment, and said closest civic address; and 
 wherein a size of an icon on a mapped display indicating said current location is adjusted based on said adjusted accuracy of said current location. 
 
     
     
       2. The location server system according to  claim 1 , wherein said closest geographic reference point comprises:
 a nearby road segment. 
 
     
     
       3. The location server system according to  claim 1 , wherein said closest geographic reference point comprises:
 a point of interest (POI). 
 
     
     
       4. The location server system according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said ranker determines said closest geographic reference point based on a point and polygon search of a location shape as overlaid on a point of interest map. 
 
     
     
       5. The location server system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a transmitter, in communication with said ranker, to transmit said adjusted-accuracy current location to a client device. 
 
     
     
       6. The location server system according to  claim 5 , wherein said client device comprises:
 a mobile device. 
 
     
     
       7. The location server system according to  claim 5 , wherein said client device comprises:
 an automobile navigation system. 
 
     
     
       8. The location server system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shape icon determination module to obtain a shape icon representing said adjusted accuracy of said current location of said physical wireless device, said shape icon being sized both according to a degree of accuracy of said current location, and according to a proximity of said current location to said closest geographic reference point.